29th Institute Advisory Board Meeting - Institute of Infection and Immunity
Joint Institute of Infection and Immunity Advisory Board (III IAB) / CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Advisory Board (CHARAC) Meeting Minutes
December 15-16, 2009
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta
| Present: | B. Singh, C. Power (Chair IAB), M. Grant (Chair CHARAC) IAB members: L. Barreto, E. Brown, R. Duncan, P. Ernst, J. Guimond, R. Hogg, M. Karmali, V. Loo, J. Stankova, B. Ward, G. Wu CHARAC members: C. Archibald, B. Fischer, W. Hiebert, S. Hosein, M. Klein, S. Rourke, M. Schecter, C. Worthington |
|---|---|
| Staff: | J. Bray, B. Moor, C. Richardson, M. Hume, J. Gunning, A. Matejcic, J. Flamembaum |
| Regrets: | J. Auger, A. Jevnikar, S. Jones, A. Rachlis, M. Tremblay |
| Guests: | J. Angel, M. Bisby |
Agenda and Minutes
Agenda
The agenda was approved with no changes.
Minutes
The minutes of the September 17-18, 2009 IAB meeting were approved.
The minutes of the October 6, 2009 CHARAC meeting were approved
Introductions from the Chairs
Chairs C. Power and M. Grant welcomed members to the first ever meeting of members from both the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity Advisory Board and its subcommittee the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Advisory Committee. The Chairs outlined that the goals of the meeting were to share ideas and approaches, explore areas of mutual interest, and develop and foster closer working relationships moving forward.
Impact of III and HIV/AIDS Research and Perspective for the CIHR International Review
M. Bisby provided an overview of two publications which he has co-authored with Michelle Campbell, namely the “Impacts of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity 2000-2008” and the yet to be released “Canadian HIV/AIDS research: Key achievements 2000-2009”. M. Bisby outlined positive trends that can be traced to the work of III and its CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative and noted that the Institute had a solid foundation on which to respond to the upcoming CIHR 2011 International Review.
Alignment of III Strategic Plan & CIHR Roadmap
B. Singh provided an overview of the existing Institute of Infection and Immunity strategic plan as well as the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative strategic plan. The goals and objectives of both aforementioned plans were mapped over to align with CIHR’s new strategic plan entitled Health Research Roadmap: Creating innovative research for better health and health care.
Clinical Trials Network/Co-infection & Co-morbidity
M. Schechter provided an overview of the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, its accomplishments over the past 20 years and plans for the future. Members discussed the value of using this network model in other areas of infection and immunity research.
M. Klein and S. Hosein presented on a planned CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative strategic funding opportunity which will address the issue of the co-morbidities of HIV. This strategic research initiative will address areas of research such as the relationships between the aging process and HIV infection and how chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, cancer, mental illness and osteoporosis, are exacerbated or affected by HIV and its treatment. The CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative will be consulting with multiple stakeholder groups, including the research community, people living with HIV/AIDS, clinicians, not-for profit organizations and other potential funding partners, during the development of its strategic initiatives. The committees expressed the importance of a focused initiative that will have a clear impact as well as the importance of a broad and open consultation in order to properly define the priorities for the funding opportunities.
HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research
CHARAC members C. Worthington and S. Rourke presented on their community-based research projects, respectively “The Calgary Youth, Health and the Street Study” and “Positive Spaces, Healthy Places: A New Generation of CBR with Impact”. A. Matejcic provided an overview of the HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research Program and ongoing work to implement the recommendations of the Program’s evaluation which was completed in 2009. Members called upon the CHARAC subcommittee “CBR Steering Committee” to develop options for the CBR Programs funding tools moving forward and to present these options to CHARAC at its next meeting.
Pandemic Preparedness Research / Infectious Disease Strategy
C. Richardson provided an update on the activities undertaken to date through the Government of Canada’s targeted funding which supported the CIHR Pandemic Preparedness Research Initiative. Discussion ensued on the future of the Initiative given that targeted funding was set to wind down in 2010-11.
B. Ward provided a personal analysis of the impact of targeted funding envelopes such as those for pandemic influenza and HIV/AIDS. The impact of this funding, both positive and negative, was discussed.
Vaccines / Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative
L. Barreto delivered a presentation entitled “Vaccines for the 21st Century: Canadian strengths & opportunities”. This presentation outlined the impacts - both in terms of health and financial benefits - of a number of Canadian-led vaccines developed to date. The Institute’s strategic direction on vaccines, both part of the former and current strategic plan, was highlighted along with the funding opportunities launched to date as a result of this strategic focus. Opportunities and challenges moving forward were also debated.
M. Grant provided an overview of activities in the CIHR-led Discovery and Social Research Stream of the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) and informed members that CIHR was close to committing half of its CHVI commitments through the funding of: 5 operating grants worth ~$2M; 8 catalyst grants worth ~$800K; and 2 emerging teams that will be funded later this year worth $2.5M. It was also noted that CIHR’s final CHVI commitment will be the funding of large team grants bringing together Canadian and low- and middle-income country researchers. This competition, to be launched in the coming months in partnership with CIDA, will have an expected investment of $17M (CIHR $5M, CIDA $12M). M. Grant also provided an overview of gaps and opportunities that remain on the HIV Vaccine front.
Human Immunology / Systems Biology
C. Power discussed the major research gaps which exist in our understanding of the human immune system and mapped out the activities of the leading Canadian clinical immunology centres that were currently underway. Similarly, a focused overview of various systems biology models and approaches were presented and key centres of Canadian and US expertise in this field were highlighted. The Institute’s efforts to apply a systems biology approach to study the human immune system and immunotherapy, inflammation and immune-based diseases was highlighted along with the projects funded to date through this effort. Throughout the discussion many opportunities and applications for a systems approach were noted, ranging from microbiome to population health initiatives. In closing, the need to develop an expanded systems biology initiative was highlighted.
Summary
C. Power and M. Grant recapped the day’s discussions and highlighted key areas of interest and possible partnership between the two groups.
Adjournment Day 1
Reflection on Day 1
M. Bisby presented his reflections on Day 1 of the meeting. Specific observations included that additional attention needed to be focused on the impending CIHR 2011 International Review, areas of synergy between the IAB and CHARAC, and challenges of mutual concern.
Incoming SD Perspective
M. Ouellette, incoming Scientific Director for III, provided an overview of the activities of his research lab. The work of outgoing III Scientific Director B. Singh was lauded. It was noted that all activities moving forward would build on the foundation of excellence developed since the creation of the Institute in 2001 and that the Institute would need to align its activities moving forward with the new CIHR Strategic Plan (Health Research Roadmap).